Hanger construction for ceilingrecessed lighting fixtures



Aug. 1960 A. MACIEL, JR., ETAL 2,948,807

HANGER CONSTRUCTION FOR CEILING-RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1, 1957 mm 6 X B0 0 W R r M W my AM Y p Aug 9, 196 I A. MACIEL, JR.. ETAL 48, 7

HANGER CONSTRUCTION FOR CEILING-RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed July 1, 1957 I v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 not possible.

United States Patent HANGER CONSTRUCTION FOR CEILING- RECESSED LIGHTING Anthony Maciel, Jr., "San Mateo, and Dan Jaster, San Francisco, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments, to .All-Brite Fluorescent Fixtures, Inc., a corporation of California Filed July 1, 1957, Ser. No. 669,331

4 Claims. (Cl. 240-78) This invention relates to a new and improved hanger construction for ceiling-recessed lighting fixtures and the like. I

A common recessed lighting fixture for fluorescent tubes comprises a troffer which fits into an opening in the ceiling and is secured in position by means of a hanger. The trofi'er frequently has a peripheral flange which fits under the acoustical tile or other ceiling construction to conceal the rough edge of the opening. Itis desirable for proper appearance of the completed job that the flange fit tightly against the ceiling material and it is essential that the trofier itself be adequately supported at two or more points along its length by attachment to rigid members which are parts of the ceiling structure. The present invention accomplishes these results.

Convention ally above the level of the ceiling and extending longitudinally on either side of the opening are longitudinal supports which may be C-shaped channels or other structural members. A hanger for the troifer as heretofore frequently employed comprises a yoke, the lower ends of the legs of which are aflixed to the longitudinal supports and from the central portion of which shaped hangers or their equivalents and hence the elimi' nation \of the labor consumed in locating the hangers and in attaching the troifer to the hangers.

A principal additional advantage of the present invention is the fact that the trofi'er may be attached to any conventional longitudinal support without the necessity of first attaching an independent hanger preliminary to securing the troifer to the hanger.

Another principal feature of the invention is the fact I that the attachment of the troffer to the longitudinal supports is accomplished with the troifer in position in the ceiling opening and without the necessity ofa workman having 'to reach into the opening or reach into the space above or to the side of the troifer;

Hence a principal advantage of the invention is the fact that it enables troifers to be installed in locations with less head room than previously necessary.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that within reasonable limits the trotfer is adjustable in position both longitudinally and laterally, whereas when a yoke type suspension type hanger is employed, such adjustability is stalled end-to-end, this feature of the invention permits the trofier first to be loosely attached to the longitudinal support some distance from its final location and then pushed longitudinally into position and finally secured inplace.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the support means'hereinafter described may be used to attach the troifer to a wide variety of longitudinal supports,

Where long rows of trofiers are to be in- 'ice such as various shaped channels and Ts othei themstructural members. I,

Other objects of the present invention willbecome ap-" parent upon reading the following specification an referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings: I

Fig. l is a perspective view partly broken away in section showing a fluorescent fixture recessed into a ceiling opening;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view partly broken away in section of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the device in a position preliminary to installation in a ceiling opening; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing completion of the installation.

The present invention is used in installing a fixture, A

such as a fluorescent lighting fixture, in a position recessed in ceiling 11, there being a rectangular ceiling opening 12 provided into which the fixture fits. The construction of ceiling 11 is subject to wide modification and forms no part of the present invention. Conventi'onally, along either side of rectangular opening 12 there is installeda longitudinal support 13, the construction of such support 13 likewise being subject to wide variation and formingno part of the present invention. For convenience of illustration,-the longitudinal support illustrated herein comprises" a channel having a web 14 vertically disposed and having sides 16 extending in a direction away from opening 12.

A common fluorescent lighting fixture employs a sheet metal trofl'er which provides a support for the electrical components (not shown) and further functions as a reflector. Trotters vary in construction, depending upon the use to which the fixture is put and the design of the manufacturer. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a conventional trotfer 17 is formed with an elongated, rectangular top 18 having upper side portions 19 obliquely disposed along either longitudinal edge thereof. The outer edges of upper sides 19 are bent in vertical side wardly disposed and comprising a continuation of side flange 23. The dimensions of troifer 17 are such that the device fits inside opening 12 and between longitudinal supports 13 with a loose fit, which permits ready insertion of the trotfer inside the opening-and further permits some adjustment of its position prior to final location thereof. Flanges 23 and 26 conceal the edge of opening 12, as well 'as the'space between sides 22 and opening 12.

,The portions of the ceiling and troifer heretofore described are intended to be merely illustrative of a common commercial construction and it will be understood that they may be widely varied within the spirit of the present invention.

The hanger, which is the subject of this invention, consists essentially of a strap 31, a pair of clamp arms 46 5 and a connecting plate 61, all of which are hereinafter Accordingly, the invention consists of but a few parts which are inexpensive to manufacture and which enable the trofier to be located, in position with a minimum of labor.

described in greater detail.

In addition,

Strap 31is a shallow, inverted trough-shaped member having a top"'32which overlies top 13'0f the troifer. Obliquely disposed sides of strap 31 overlie the outside of upper sides 16 of. the troifer and terminate at the upper'edge of, slots 21. except for a centrally disposed tongue 34" which projectsbeyond slot 21. Top 32 is formed with three holes. the outer holes andsecure strap' 31 to the trofier 17by means of "nuts39. The center hole receives an elongated center screw 41 which-extends down inside the troffer and isheld in placebya nut42 and furthercarries a wing nut 43 which is used to secure plate 61 in position, as hereinafter explained.

Clamp arms 46 are identical in construction and are formed -in an 'irregular shape. In the assembled position of the hanger, inner end 47 is horizontally disposed and its outer edge'connects with=obliquelyg disposed inner leg 48. The angle between'leg' 48 and end 47 is substantially the sameas the angle between upper side 19 and top 18 and the length of'leg 48 issubstantially equal to the distance between top 18 and slot 21, thereby providing the maximum adjustability in position of clamp arm 46'. A short central offset 49 is formed at the lower end of leg 48 and disposed at an angleof approximately 90 with respect thereto. Immediately beyo'nd ofiset 49 is an obliquely disposed outerleg 51 parallel to leg 48. Outer leg 51 terminates in a foot 52'substantially parallel to inner end 47 and having a length substantially equal to the length of side 16 of longitudinal support 13. The outer edge of foot 52 is formed with a vertically downturned terminal portion 53. A rectangular elongated longitudinally extending inner slot 54 is formed in inner end 47. A central slot having a width equal to that of tongue 34ls formed in offset portion 49 and the upper end of outer leg 51.

Plate 61 is substantially rectangular in shape and has a length sufficient to bridge the gap between the inner ends 47 of clamp arms 46. At either end there is a vertically upturned tang 62 which fits in slots 54 of the pair of clamp arms. Plate 61 is centrally apertured, as indicated by reference numeral 63 to receive screw 41 and is held in place by wing nut 43.

When assembled, clamp arms- 46 project out through slots 21 so that ofiset portion 49 passes through the wall of. trofier 17. Strap 31 is held in place by screws 38, with tongue 34 extending into central slot '56 and thus serving to prevent dislodgement of clamp arms 46, but permitting pivotal movement of arms 46 about the margin of slot 21 as a fulcrum.

Preliminary to installation, plate 61 is disengaged from clamp arms 46, thereby permitting free pivotal movement. A convenient means for accomplishing this device is to turn plate 61 at right angles to its normal assembled position. Clamp arms 46 are swung downwardly so that inner ends 47 are at the bottom, as is illustrated in Fig. 3, and this movement swings foot 53 upwardly, thereby permitting the troffer to be inserted in the ceiling opening. Troffer 17 is pushed up into opening 12 to its approximate final position, whereupon inner ends 47 are swung upwardly, causing foot 52 to engage the top of longitudinal support 13 and further causing the outer terminal portion 53 to grip the longitudinal support. To secure clamp arms 46 in such position, plate 61 is turned 90 and tang 62 inserted in slot 54 and wing nut 43 tightened. The trofier can be moved, either longitudinally or transversely, within reasonable limits prior to final tightening of screw 43, inasmuch as no fastening member need be employed to engage clamp arms 46 with supports 13. It will further be seen that installation of the device is accomplished without the workman reaching above or to either side of troffer 17, either before or during installation.

The use of strap 31 heretofore described is optional, inasmuch as it is. possible to. eliminate the function thereof. Primarily, strap 31 functions to reinforce the rela- Side screws 38*extend through tively deformable sheet metal troifer 17 and further to provide a means for dislodgement of clamp arms 46 prior to installation. It will further be seen that plate 61 may be replaced by a pair of screws depending from troifer 17 and passing through slots 54, but plate 61 performs a desirable function in that it equalizes the force supplied to the two arms 46.

The spacing, between adjacent hangers-is optional, depending upon the weight of the fixture and the degree of safety desired.

Although the foregoing inyention has been described in some detailby way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. The combination of a ceiling recessed. lighting, fixture comprising a tro'ffer shaped to fit within an opening in a ceiling and formed with a pair ofapertures in opposite sides thereof, support members on opposite sides of said opening above said ceiling, a pair of clamp arms, means mounting each saidclamp arm extending through one of said apertures partially inside and partially out} side said troiferfor pivotal-movement between a position of installation with said clamp arm extending upwardly and within the projection of said opening-and a position of support with said clamp arm extending outwardly and beyond the projection of said opening, each said clamp arm having an outer end shaped to engage one of said support members, means suspended from said trofier. engaging the inner ends of said arms and located within said trofier to draw said inner ends of both said clamp arms upward and pivot the outer ends of said arms downward to said position of support in engagement'with saidsupport members, and a strap engaging the outer portion of said troifer and terminating adjacent said apertures, the lower ends of said strap engaging said arms to restrain dislodgement ofsaid arms.

2. A combination according to claim 1 in which said strap is formed with to'ngues on its lower ends and said arms are apertured to receive said tongues, said tongues cxtending'across said apertures in said trofiers to restrain said arms from dislodgement from saidtrotfer.

3. In combination, a troifer; having a top and opposed sides, said sides being formed with opposedapertur esa strap o'verlyingsaid top and extending down over said sides and terminating adjacent the upperedges of the apertures in said sides, a pair of clamp arms each extending through one of saidapertures, eachsaid arm having an outerend outside said troffer shaped with a gripping terminal and an inner end within said troifer, and means for drawing said inner ends toward said strap to cause said outer ends to pivot downwardly, the lower ends of said strap being formed with projecting tongues and, said arms being apertured to receive said tongues, said-tongues extending across the apertures in said troifer to retain said arms on said troffer.

4. The combination of a ceiling-recessed lighting fixture comprising a troiter shaped to fit within an opening in a ceiling and fo'rmed with a pair of apertures in opposite sides thereof, support members onopposite sides of said opening above said ceiling, a pair of clamp arms, means mounting each said clamp arm extending through one of said apertures partially inside and partially outside said troffer for pivotal movement between a position of installation with said clamp arm extending upwardly and within the projection of said opening and a position of support with said clamp arm extending outwardly and beyond the projection of said opening, each saidclamp arm having an outer end shaped to engage one of said support members, a plate Within said troifer engaging the inner ends of each of said arms. and means trofiti to draw said plate upward and pivot the Outer ends of said arms to said position of support and into engagement with said support member, means supporting said plate within said trofier for pivotal movement from a first position parallel to the plane of said clamp arms, and a second position transverse to the plane of said clamp arms, said plate when in its first position engaging said inner ends of said arms and maintaining said arms in said position of support, said plate in its second position being disengaged from said arms and maintaining said arms free to move to said position of installation, said support means being adjustable within said troifer to elevate and depress said plate and adjust the position of said arms relative to said support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

